REPUBLIC, Mo. — The last time the Russellville Cyclones were in the Republic of Missouri Invitational Tournament, they walked away from the gymnasium with a championship trophy in tow. Despite having lost nine seniors since then, the Cyclones knocked off the No. 3 seed Ozark Tigers Tuesday night, 61-56, after a back-and-forth game. A red-hot scoring drive in the fourth quarter helped the Cyclones put the game away.

Leading scorers for Russellville (2-1) were Andy Campbell with 18 points, Dakota Young and Tony Jones with nine points while Jalen Curtis added seven points.

The Tigers (0-1) went up 3-0 early in the first quarter with a quick basket and a trip to the foul line. Russellville closed the game with Andy Campbell nailed a three-pointer to tie it up 3-3. Dakota Young scored afterward to give the Cyclones the only lead they’d have throughout the first half.

Ozark immediately tied it at 5-5, then went on to score four unanswered points to snag a 9-5 lead with 4:37 left in the first quarter.

Dakota Young halted the scoring spree with a shot just inside the three-point line. The Tigers answered with a three-pointer, grabbed a rebound and sank another basket to extend their lead to 14-7.

When the first quarter came to a close, Ozark had grabbed a 16-11 lead.

The Cyclones began a methodical march to control the ballgame. After slipping behind 22-13, Andy Campbell scored to make it 22-15. The Tigers scored again before Co-Chese Temple-Laws’ pass to Dakota Laseter resulted in a layup. Laseter had been subbed in moments earlier and marked a distinct shift in momentum toward Russellville. Laseter grabbed the rebound on a missed Ozark shot, tossed it to Jones who hit a three pointer to make it 24-20.

A few seconds Kentrell Scott nailed a layup to make it 24-22 at the half.

The Cyclones went on a 7-0 run to open the third quarter and took a 29-24 lead. But Ozark answered with an 11-3 run to snatch it right back 35-34 at the end of the third quarter.

Campbell scored a triad of three pointers in the fourth quarter to help Russellville secure the lead, pulling ahead by as many as eight points throughout the quarter. The Tigers fought back as the final minutes drained off the clock, but were unable to close the gap before the game was over. Campbell sank a pair of free-throws to bring up the final score of 61-56 and put the game out of reach for Ozark.

The Cyclones will play in the winners bracket on Friday against the winner of Republic and Lebanon at 7:30 p.m.

Apaches split with Guy-Perkins

CONWAY — The Pottsville Apaches defeated Guy-Perkins 78-42 in the first round of the Conway St. Joseph Invitational held on Monday.

The Apaches (5-0) led 21-13 at the end of the first quarter and 38-25 after the second. After the third quarter they had extened their lead to 68-40.

Leading scorers for Pottsville were Travis Cole with 23 points, Michael Perry with 15, Preston Pfeiffer with 9 and Corey McKown with nine.

“We got after it tonight,” head coach Shane Thurman said. “We forced some turnovers and scored in transition. Our intensity on defense was fantastic and we played unselfishly and found the guys with the hot hand on offense.”

The Lady Apaches fell to Guy-Perkins 65-61. After the first quarter, Pottsville trailed by a single point, 12-11. But at halftime they had fallen behind, 31-24. After the third quarter it was 46-43.

Leading scorers for the Lady Apaches were Callie Cox with 23 points and four steals, Courtney Dotson with 16 points and five rebounds, and Hannah Barnett with five points and nine rebounds.

After the first quarter Pottsville led 15-4 and widened their lead to 20-6 at the half. After the third quarter the Junior Lady Apaches had anchored a 26-11 lead.

Leading scorers for Pottsville were Baily Floyd with six points, four rebounds and two steals, Carlee McClure with six points and eight rebounds, Ashley Brannon with six points, five rebounds and two steals, and Julia Baker with six points and two steals.

Top scorers for Dover were Michelle Malnorey, McKayla Mcbryde, Rebecca Cresswell and Sara Bates each with two points.

“We really came out and executed the game plan tonight,” Pottsville head coach Drew Siebenmorgan said. “We forced turnover on defense and did a good job getting points in the paint. I was very proud of our effort.”

The Junior Apaches won their match-up, 45-25. At the end of the first quarter, the score was tied at 12-12 but the Junior Apaches turned on the head in the second. At halftime it was 24-14. After the third, Pottsville led 35-21.

Leading scorers for the Junior Apaches were Jake Dugger with 15 points, Josh Dugger with seven, John Bowman with six and Cole McKown with five.

“We got off to a slow start defensively,” Apaches head coach Garrett Hill said. “I’m proud of the guys for picking up their intensity the rest of the game. The guys did a great job of being coachable and then making adjustments we needed to make it on the floor. Dover is a good team and always tough to beat. I’m very proud to get a win coming back from Thanksgiving break.”

Pottsville will play its first conference game of the season on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. against Mena.

Danville 56, Booneville 53

LAVACA — The Little Johns defeated Booneville 56-53 in the first round of the Pinnacle Tournament held in Lavaca. The game was close throughout with the Little Johns leading 18-16 after the first quarter and 28-27 at the half.

Leading scorers for Danville were Jay Trusty with 28 points, Mckenzie Garner with 12 points and 15 rebounds, and Kevin Dominguez with seven.

Hector falls to Lamar

HECTOR — The Hector Wildcats fell to the Lamar Warriors 75-45 on Tuesday.

After the first quarter, Lamar led 18-7. The Warriors never let go of their lead. At halftime it was 39-26. After the third quarter it was 63-40.

Leading scorers for Hector were Chandler Stanek with 20 and Hunter Davis with 10.

Hector JB 46,

Lamar 43

LAMAR — The Hector Junior Wildcats edged out the Lamar Junior warriors on Monday 46-43. At the end of the first quarter, Hector was up 15-10. At halftime it was 22-19. But after the third Lamar had battled back to capture the lead 30-29. Hector went on to score 17 points in the fourth to put the game away.

Leading scorers for Hector were Rustin Hays with 27 points and Brett Gray and Jalen Ferguson each with five.

Lady Gales lose

to Clarksville

The Russellville seventh-grade Westside Lady Gales fell to Clarksville Monday night, 25-23. Emily Looper was the leading scorer for Russellville with 23 points.